Expert contributor

James Okonkwo, PharmD

PharmD, BCPS

Medications & supplements · interactions · OTC safety

12 articles on True Health Fox

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Biography

Dr. Okonkwo is a clinical pharmacist who reviews drug and supplement content for clarity, common interactions, and red-flag symptoms that warrant professional evaluation.

Writing

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Barberry plant branches with bright red oval berries beside a small wooden bowl of dried Berberis root pieces on a linen background

berberine-for-blood-sugar

Berberine activates AMPK, an enzyme that improves insulin sensitivity and reduces glucose production in the liver. Multiple clinical trials show meaningful blood sugar reductions, but it…

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Conceptual still life with a barberry branch and yellow root powder on the left and a plain unlabeled white tablet bottle with white pills on the right

berberine-vs-metformin

Several head-to-head trials found berberine produced blood sugar reductions comparable to low-dose metformin. But the evidence gap, drug interaction profile, and regulatory differences mean they serve…

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